November? Doh, how did that happen? We’re not sure, and we’re not sure why we’re walking around in shorts now, but we’ll take what we can get. But, we have one bone to pick with some of you. What’s up with the Christmas decorations that are out already? You need to wait until Thanksgiving is over . . . it’s an unwritten rule, but now it’s written because we are passing legislation on the blog this week. <End rant> So, hey, let’s have the best next couple of weeks possible, k? And, we’ll start with all this great stuff to do and check out:

11/6 Hapa Food Truck is hibernating until the weather is nicer and the last chance to hap-a good time is Friday! They’ll be at 177 Broad Street at Indeed from 12-2.

11/7-14 Check out Chief Brody’s Banh Mi food truck at the following spots: 11/7, from 9-2 at 196 Main Street in Durham, 11/8 from 11-4 @ 56 Broadway in New Haven, Two Roads Sourcopia previewing at 6:30 on 11/9, back to Two Roads from 4-8 on 11/10, and 11/14 for the O.E.C. bottle Release Party from 9-close. More on this in the beer section.

11/7 Stop by any 7-11 and pay what you want for a Slurpee! But, before you go paying a penny for that Slurpee, realize that money raised on this day will go right to Feeding America, so maybe chip in a dollar or two for that Cherry Coke/Coke/Root Beer concoction that you created.

11/11 Every Wednesday (yes, every) at Coalhouse in Stamford from 3-7, you can get a free small plate of housemade beer brats. Just sayin’, but those go perfectly with some beer. ;)

Chef Pat Pascarella is on this week’s Welcome to CT Podcast with Ken Tuccio. And, we’re not telling you this just because they talk about us and pimp us out during it. We really love Pat and it’s nice to hear his voice on issues, opening, his passion for cooking, bloggers vs. viewers, and more. Nice podcast this week!

Churros and dipping sauces

Kevin Bacon recently stopped by The Kitchen at Billings Forge and Fireboxin Hartford for a visit via his charity, SixDegrees.com.

After her show at The Palace and talking with us on stage, Giada hit up Lorca. We can’t say we blame her at all. Who doesn’t love that place? Killer coffee, sandwiches, pies, and churros. :) More on Lorca in the beer section.

Dan used to work at Camp Playland in New Canaan and they are up to some pretty cool stuff, offering up lunch to campers and counselors every single day. Catering will be provided by Tony’s Deli of New Canaan and Greenwich and they’ll have a hot lunch option, as well as a sandwich or salad bar choice, too.

Deals

The Spread in SoNo has their Happy Hour Monday – Friday from 4:30-8 and that gets you a choice of 12 items under $10, beer and wine at $5, and cocktails at just $7. Do it.

Food to Try

The Blind Rhino in SoNo has the cure for your hangover, or just if you’re really freaking hungry: sliced ribeye cheese steak. Oh yeah.

Coming down to Hoodoo Brown BBQ? Well, order the Bacon, Egg, Cheese, Brisket, and Avocado breakfast sammie on a roll. Hell, we just gained 10 pounds reading that sentence. Not telling you what to do here, but this would make a hell of a brunch if you stop by Saturday or Sunday starting at 11:30.

Fleishers Craft Kitchen in Westport has what every good American craves: waffles with fried chicken and an egg on top thrown in for good measure. But, look, don’t get all lame on us: ask for a side of bacon to go with it.

Back 40 Kitchen is now open on Saturdays for brunch. Oh hell yah. And, they now have some nice options in their $3 bar snacks section of the menu. Pick up a drink and a snack . . . good to go.

Openings

Rothbard + Larder in Westport is now open! Booyaka.

Props

Tea•rrific Ice Cream was voted by the editors of Yankee Magazine as a 2015 Choice Award winner. If you see their ice cream at Whole Foods or any other local store, pick it up. You seriously won’t regret it.

CT Beer

11/11 Check out Breads & Brews at Back East Brewery from 6-9. This event, sponsored by Hartford Baking Company and Back East will feature Back East, bread, BBQ from Nat Hayden’s, cupcakes from NoRA, and other goodies from Bushy Hill Farms. Tix are $35 and can be bought at Back East or Hartford Baking Co.

11/12 Craft 260 has a Ballast Point Tap Takeover featuring Sour Wench, Sextant, Victory at Sea, and lots more! Check ’em out for dinner and wash it down with something great.

11/14 Get the growlers ready: No Worries Brewing Co. in Hamden will host their grand opening! They will have more details soon, but a great source is their FB page.

11/14 OEC in Oxford will see the release of their Experimentalis with Raspberries #2 made with a Leonhardht Vineyards Zin Barrel. The bottle release starts at 11:30 and you’ll only be able to have 3 bottles per customer with only 288 bottles in production. Do the math on that: in other words, if you want a bottle, get there early. But, don’t worry about getting there early . . . as you see from above, Chief Brody’s Banh Mi food truck will be there.

11/15 Captain Lawrence Brewing has a bottle release of their super rare Cuvee de Castleton from 1-4. It’s $40 per person and that gets you food, beer, and entertainment as well as a shot on getting CLB’s most award beer ever.

11/18 You’ll definitely want to check out Rare Beer Night at Half Full Brewery this month. That’s because they be featuring 4 coffee-inspired brews made with Lorca in Stamford. In addition, you’ll get some food including their deliciously famous churros.

Here’s a newly released CT beer that you’ll wanna drink the hell out of: IPA Glitter Rainbow. Check out more here.

Still Hill Brewery is scheduled to open by the end of December making for a very Happy New Year. Check out more about them here.

Brewery Legitimus is planning a spring 2016 opening at the former Waring Factory right in New Hartford. More info here.

Stony Creek’s Reposado Negro is now on tap at Eli Cannon’s in Middletown if you’re looking to try this limited batch brew. It measures in at 9.2% and is a wheatwine that has been aged in tequila barrels.